A-Class Buildings
Nowadays, the main questions for future owners of log buildings are what type of log house they are allowed to build, what size it can be, how it will be officially approved, what the situation is regarding energy efficiency requirements, and similar concerns.
As is known, since 2017, A-class energy efficiency requirements, and since 2018, A+ class requirements have applied to newly constructed buildings. The applicable energy efficiency standards are determined not by the start of design or issuance of the building permit, but by the date the documents are submitted. If an energy performance certificate (SLD) is not required, the reference point is the start of construction work.
It should be noted that some buildings are exempt from minimum energy efficiency requirements. These include:
- Temporary buildings intended for use for no more than 2 years
- Non-residential buildings with low energy consumption, intended for manufacturing, industrial, storage, or agricultural purposes
- Freestanding buildings with a total usable floor area not exceeding 50 square meters
- Recreational or garden buildings used for no more than four months per year
More detailed information on the main principles is described in Article 51 of the Construction Law of the Republic of Lithuania, and design and certification are carried out in accordance with STR 2.01.02:2016 “Design and Certification of Building Energy Performance.”
The Lithuanian Log House Manufacturers Association (RNGA) has appealed to government authorities to find a way to allow the construction of log houses as residential buildings in certain areas, such as individual homesteads, even if the land’s official designation is residential. It was acknowledged that this issue is significant in Lithuania, as many future log house owners build their homes in the countryside, in beautiful, separate areas outside traditional settlements, and associate these homes with permanent living.
